New electric ferry stops working in Wellington, passengers rescued

Wellington’s new electric ferry appears to have lost power during a trip on Thursday, forcing a police boat to take its passengers back to shore.

A police spokesman said as of 12:58 pm on Thursday all passengers from the ferry were back at Queens Wharf in Wellington and the police boat was helping to bring the electric ferry back to a dock.

The Ferry – called Flying fish (flying fish) – made his first trip across the harbour, from Days Bay to Queens Wharf, in March.

Ika Rere is the first electric passenger ferry in the southern hemisphere.

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East by West Ferries previously said there are very few electric vessels in the world that come close to its performance.

Ika Rere is the first electric ferry in the southern hemisphere.

Ross Giblin / Stuff

Ika Rere is the first electric ferry in the southern hemisphere.

Greater Wellington Regional Council spokesman Jesse Gerritsen said it would not know the exact cause of the incident until Friday.

The ferry Ika Rere lost propulsion, Gerritsen said.

Transport company Metlink posted service warnings on its website advising travelers that the 2:00 p.m. departure from Queens Wharf and the 3:20 p.m. departure from Days Bay on Thursday have both been cancelled.